Sat 2 Dec 2023
Aylesford Bulls’ slow start cost them away at Park House.
Unbeaten at home this season and now second in Counties 2, Park House were always going to prove tough opponents.
Having encountered them many times in previous seasons, Bulls were immediately struck by the extent of work the Bromley side have evidently put in on the training park.
A monstrous pack bossed Bulls for much of the first 40 minutes, punching holes and controlling the break down with apparent ease.
Bulls’ defence at points fell silent and was caught napping on more than one occasion and by half time they were lucky not to have conceded more than the 14 points they had.
Compounding matters was an injury to versatile back Matt Duffy.
Towards the end of the first period and certainly at the start of the second Bulls had begun to stir.
Centre Luke Stroud was making inroads and the back three were beginning to fire, while Tom Hughes would get Bulls on the board not long into the second half, burning down the touch line to add to his impressive tally for the season and bring the visitors within seven points.
A converted try by second row Tom Burnett levelled the score before Park House hit back with one of their own.
An over-the-top offload by Harry Sievewright then gave speedster Ben Ashdown an unopposed if not insignificant route to the try line. 21-19. Paul Cooper missed the tricky conversion but was on hand moments later to nudge Bulls a point ahead from the penalty spot.
Aylesford had mounted an impressive comeback but Park House never quite let the game get away from them and before long had kicked a penalty to push them two points in front before sealing the win with a second minutes later.
Bulls, who take a losing bonus point from the encounter, face Maidstone at home in a derby match on Saturday.
Unbeaten at home this season and now second in Counties 2, Park House were always going to prove tough opponents.
Having encountered them many times in previous seasons, Bulls were immediately struck by the extent of work the Bromley side have evidently put in on the training park.
A monstrous pack bossed Bulls for much of the first 40 minutes, punching holes and controlling the break down with apparent ease.
Bulls’ defence at points fell silent and was caught napping on more than one occasion and by half time they were lucky not to have conceded more than the 14 points they had.
Compounding matters was an injury to versatile back Matt Duffy.
Towards the end of the first period and certainly at the start of the second Bulls had begun to stir.
Centre Luke Stroud was making inroads and the back three were beginning to fire, while Tom Hughes would get Bulls on the board not long into the second half, burning down the touch line to add to his impressive tally for the season and bring the visitors within seven points.
A converted try by second row Tom Burnett levelled the score before Park House hit back with one of their own.
An over-the-top offload by Harry Sievewright then gave speedster Ben Ashdown an unopposed if not insignificant route to the try line. 21-19. Paul Cooper missed the tricky conversion but was on hand moments later to nudge Bulls a point ahead from the penalty spot.
Aylesford had mounted an impressive comeback but Park House never quite let the game get away from them and before long had kicked a penalty to push them two points in front before sealing the win with a second minutes later.
Bulls, who take a losing bonus point from the encounter, face Maidstone at home in a derby match on Saturday.
